THE EFFICACY OF IMMUNOCHEMOTHERAPY WITH STRONTIUM(SR) IN THE 1,2-DIMETHYLHYDRAZINE(DMH) INDUCED RAT CARCINOGENETIC MODEL - ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MITOCHONDRIA IN THE LIVER

It is said that stable strontium(Sr), which exists naturally in living cells as a microelement, has cytoprotective effects on liver cells in mammals. We attempted to examine the cytoprotective and anticancer ef fects of Sr using the rat carcinogenetic model induced by DMH(1,2-dime thylhydrazine). In a comparison of animals given UFT, PSK and Sr or UF T and PSK, carcinogenes in the colon and also increlases in immunosupr essive acidic protein (IAP) levels were suppressed Electron microscopi c observation in the SI group revealed a tendency toward stabilization of the mitochondrial membrane and highly developed rough endoplasmic reticulum in both the light and left lobe. This tendency became more o bvious as the duration of oral intake of Sr was prolonged. Our study s uggest that the cytoprotective effect of Sr on mitochondria in the liv er may suppress carcinogenesis.